Ski Jumping in July, Park City, Utah

We arrived in Salt Lake City in the late afternoon and stayed with some college friends of mine (thanks again for putting us up Brad and Patty).  They live in a really cool neighborhood called Sugar House within walking distance from a neighborhood grocery store, restaurants, a bookstore, Starbucks and more.  They were staying with friends and family in Park City (home of the 2002 Winter Olympics) and gave us the run of their house.

The next morning we drove to Park City to check out the town and meet up with them.  We had a blast!  When we first rolled into town we stopped by the visitor's center to get the lay of the land.  While Mickelle was exploring the visitors center I hit the cafe.  They were serving BulletProof Coffee.  I had heard about it but it was the first time I had seen it in the wild.  It's a special coffee bean that is mixed with butter and a propriety oil after brewing.  It was the creamiest coffee I've ever had...but neither of us cared for it.

We headed up the mountain to the Olympic Park which was awesome.  The kids really enjoyed the museum where they got to play on retired bobsleds, luges and other relics.  

We rode a chair lift up the mountain, which scared the bejesus out of Elle! She was sure Mick would lose a flip flop, worried about an imminent earthquake, and wanted to discuss escape plans all along the way up. Tag enjoyed the view.

Downhill involved a two-person sled on a metal track called an alpine slide. Elle rode with Mickelle, Tag with me.  

Both kids liked the slide a little but seemed a little more freaked out than exhilarated.  The old Olympic village also had a very cool climbing structure for kids (and adults).

But the coolest thing to watch was the ski jump classes/practice.  Ever wonder how you practice ski jumping in July when it is in the 90's?  You jump off the ramps into a swimming pool that fires off jets to keep skiers from hitting the bottom.  It was something to see. 

Once the Kid Camps stared practicing on the jumps, both kids were enamored. Mick and I were ready to eat our arms, but neither kid would leave. Talk about Spellbound. Mick has decided the kids need to do this summer camp when Tag is older than 7. 

The picture really does not do it justice.  Click here for a video.

After a brief tour of historic downtown Park City (which was something out of a movie) we met up with our friends at the resort they were staying at and ended the day with swimming, pizza and wine.  Good times with great company.